How to Make a Maze Game in Scratch | Step by Step Coding | Full Tutorial & Enhancements

Scratch Game

Introduction: Why Build a Maze Game in Scratch?

If you're looking for a Scratch beginner project idea that's fun, interactive, and educational, then building a maze game in Scratch is the perfect place to start.

This Scratch maze game tutorial is designed to help you learn Scratch by making a game—one that includes movement, levels, collision detection, and even sound effects. Whether you're a kid, parent, or teacher, it's a great way to explore coding logic, design skills, and storytelling all in one.

Watch complete tutorial video – How to make a Maze Game in Scratch | Full Game by Omaansh Aggarwal | Kodex Academy

In this step-by-step Scratch game for kids, you'll discover:

  • ✓ How to make a maze game in Scratch using simple blocks
  • ✓ How to create walls, movement, and interactive gameplay
  • ✓ How to add win/lose conditions with sound and animation
  • ✓ How to build a maze with Scratch coding across multiple levels

This isn't just a Scratch coding tutorial for kids—it's a fun Scratch game project that sparks creativity and builds foundational coding skills. From drawing your first wall to helping a sprite escape the maze, this is the ultimate interactive maze game Scratch experience.

So if you're searching for a Scratch game for beginners that's creative, rewarding, and easy to follow—this Scratch maze escape game is the one for you!

What You Will Learn:

This comprehensive guide teaches you how to:

  • ✓ Set up sprites and backdrops in Scratch
  • ✓ Create and manage variables like score, lives, and timer
  • ✓ Implement sprite movement using arrow keys
  • ✓ Code collision detection with maze walls
  • ✓ Add level progression and win/lose conditions
  • ✓ Enhance gameplay with sounds, lives, timers, and collectibles
  • ✓ Step-by-step instructions for Scratch beginner game project

This project is perfect for beginners and intermediate Scratch users who want to learn Scratch programming and how to make games in Scratch.

Project Overview: What You'll Build

In this maze game:

  • The player controls a sprite (like a dog named Dot) that must escape mazes
  • There are multiple maze levels with increasing difficulty
  • Collision with walls triggers Game Over and sprite reset
  • Reaching the exit advances to the next level
  • Final level leads to a "Town" win screen
  • Sound effects enhance the gaming experience

This is an excellent project for learning interactive mechanics, level design, and Scratch game development.

Step-by-Step Guide to Coding – Maze Game in Scratch

1. Set Up Your Scratch Project

Before writing any code, we prepare our scene:

  • Open Scratch at scratch.mit.edu
  • Choose appropriate backdrops for your maze levels
  • Delete the default cat sprite
  • Add your main character sprite (e.g., dog, cat, or custom sprite)
  • Adjust sprite size to fit maze paths (around 60% works well)

This step ensures your game starts with a clean, organized layout before you begin programming.

2. Create Variables

Go to Variables → Make a Variable and create these for all sprites:

  • lives — Tracks remaining lives (optional enhancement)
  • score — Tracks points from collectibles (optional)
  • level — Tracks current level

3. Designing Maze Walls & Backdrops

The maze walls are crucial for gameplay:

  • Use the Backdrop editor to draw maze walls
  • Use a single color for all walls (e.g., blue) for consistent collision detection
  • Draw clear paths, entrances, exits, and dead ends
  • Create multiple backdrops for different levels
  • Mark exit areas with different colors (e.g., green for level completion)

Good maze design is key to an engaging game experience.

4. Sprite Movement & Controls

The movement system allows players to navigate the maze:

when green flag clicked
set rotation style [left-right v]
forever
  if then
    point in direction (90)
    move (5) steps
  end
  if then
    point in direction (-90)
    move (5) steps
  end
  if then
    point in direction (0)
    move (5) steps
  end
  if then
    point in direction (180)
    move (5) steps
  end
end

5. Wall Collision & Game Over

Collision detection prevents players from passing through walls:

when green flag clicked
forever
  if then // blue walls
    play sound [Lose v] until done
    move (-5) steps
    go to x: (startX) y: (startY)
    switch backdrop to [Game Over v]
    stop [all v]
  end
end

6. Level Progression & Winning

Level advancement keeps players engaged:

when green flag clicked
switch backdrop to [Maze 1 v]
go to x: (startX1) y: (startY1)
set [level v] to (1)

// Level completion detection
forever
  if then // green exit
    play sound [Connect v]
    if <(level) = (1)> then
      switch backdrop to [Maze 2 v]
      go to x: (startX2) y: (startY2)
      change [level v] by (1)
    end
    if <(level) = (2)> then
      switch backdrop to [Town v]
      play sound [Tada v]
      say [Hooray! I'm back in my town!] for (3) secs
      stop [all v]
    end
  end
end

7. Adding Sounds & Effects

Sound effects enhance the gaming experience:

  • Wall collision: "Lose" or buzzing sound
  • Level completion: "Connect" or success sound
  • Game win: "Tada!" or celebratory sound
  • Optional background music

Use "play sound until done" for blocking sounds and "start sound" for overlapping audio.

Game Enhancements & Troubleshooting

Enhancement Features

1. Add Lives / Health System

Give players multiple chances before game over:

when green flag clicked
set [lives v] to (3)

forever
  if then
    change [lives v] by (-1)
    play sound [buzz v]
    go to [Start position]
    wait (0.5) secs
    if <(lives) = (0)> then
      switch backdrop to [Game Over v]
      stop [all]
    end
  end
end

2. Add a Timer

Create time pressure for added challenge:

when green flag clicked
reset timer

forever
  if <(timer) > (60)> then
    switch backdrop to [Game Over v]
    stop [all]
  end
end

3. Add Collectibles (Coins, Keys)

Add points and objectives to the maze:

// For collectible sprite
when green flag clicked
show
go to [collectible position]

forever
  if then
    change [score v] by (1)
    play sound [pop v]
    hide
  end
end

4. Add More Levels

Extend gameplay with additional mazes:

if then
  switch backdrop to [Maze 3 v]
  go to [startX3, startY3]
  change [level v] by (1)
  play sound [connect v]
end

5. Add Enemies or Moving Obstacles

Increase difficulty with moving hazards:

// For enemy sprite
when green flag clicked
forever
  glide (1) secs to x: (random position) y: (random position)
end

// Collision with enemy
if then
  switch backdrop to [Game Over v]
  stop [all]
end

6. Add Win Animation + Sound

Celebrate successful completion:

if then
  play sound [tada v]
  switch backdrop to [Town v]
  say [Hooray! I'm back in my town!] for (2) secs
  stop [all]
end

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem 1: Sprite Gets Stuck Inside the Wall

Move the sprite back immediately when collision is detected and use smaller movement steps.

Problem 2: Level Not Switching When Reaching the Exit

Ensure the exit color matches exactly and the condition is checked in the main movement loop.

Problem 3: Movement Controls Not Working Properly

Set rotation style to left-right and ensure direction changes before movement.

Problem 4: Game Over Doesn't Trigger

Verify wall color using the eyedropper tool and ensure the condition is in the forever loop.

Problem 5: Sound Effects Not Playing

Check that sounds are loaded in the Sounds tab and use appropriate play commands.

Problem 6: Maze Walls Not Detecting Collision

Use solid colors for walls and ensure they're thick enough to detect (3-6px minimum).

Problem 7: Sprite "Falls Off" or Disappears

Always set sprite position immediately after switching backdrops.

Conclusion: Ready, Aim, Code!

Building a maze game in Scratch is not only fun and creative but also a fantastic way to learn the fundamentals of coding. Whether you're a complete beginner, a parent guiding your child, or a teacher looking for a class project, this Scratch game for beginners teaches key programming concepts like loops, conditions, motion, and event handling — all through an engaging hands-on experience.

In this Scratch maze game tutorial, you learned:

  • ✅ How to make a maze game in Scratch step by step
  • ✅ How to use color detection for walls and exits
  • ✅ How to add sound effects, animations, levels, and logic
  • ✅ How to enhance your project with timers, scoring, enemies, and more

This interactive maze game Scratch project can be endlessly customized — you can build more levels, add new sprites, create your own story, and share your game with friends or on the Scratch website.

It's the perfect Scratch beginner project idea to explore creativity, improve logical thinking, and start your journey into coding with fun and confidence.

🎯 Ready to Master More Scratch Concepts?

Don't forget to check out the full video tutorial and explore more Scratch programming tutorials on Kodex Academy!

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